Hot Therapy, Cool Pain Relief:
How Infrared Saunas May Help Ease Arthritis
10/17/2025
By Mike Lawson
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are chronic autoimmune conditions that can severely impact quality of life. RA causes painful joint inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue, while AS primarily targets the spine, restricting movement and causing persistent discomfort. Beyond physical symptoms, both conditions can also take a toll on emotional health, making it harder to stay active and enjoy everyday activities.
Managing RA and AS often involves medications that come with side effects - and not everyone responds the same way. That’s why growing interest is building around complementary therapies, such as infrared (IR) sauna therapy, which offers potential benefits without the drawbacks of traditional treatments.
A Natural, Modern Approach to Arthritis Relief
A clinical study from the Netherlands, led by Fredrikus G. J. Oosterveld and colleagues, investigated the effects of infrared sauna therapy in people with RA and AS. The study included 34 participants - 17 with RA and 17 with AS - who underwent eight 30-minute infrared sauna sessions over four weeks, in a cabin heated to 131°F (55°C) using six infrared panels.
Researchers evaluated several factors - pain, stiffness, fatigue, physical function, and overall comfort - at multiple stages: before therapy, at the start, at the conclusion of the four-week program, and four weeks post-treatment.
Encouraging Outcomes: Safe and Effective
The results were promising. Not only did participants experience no negative side effects, but inflammation markers and disease activity also remained stable throughout, indicating that infrared therapy is a safe option for people with inflammatory arthritis.
During sauna sessions:
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Pain levels dropped significantly - about 40% for RA patients and 60% for those with AS.
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Stiffness improved by 50–60% in both groups.
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While fatigue relief wasn’t statistically significant, 88% of participants felt “comfortable” or “very comfortable” after sessions.
Over the four-week period, RA patients experienced 10–15% improvements in pain and stiffness, and some of those benefits persisted beyond the treatment window, though long-term gains didn’t reach the level of statistical significance. AS patients also noted mild improvements, especially in stiffness.
Although infrared sauna therapy didn’t significantly improve range of motion, it did lead to better daily comfort and functioning. Quality-of-life scores also improved for RA patients, particularly in areas related to physical and emotional wellbeing.
A Supportive Therapy Worth Exploring
While infrared sauna therapy isn’t a cure and shouldn’t replace prescribed medications, it shows strong potential as a complementary treatment - especially for those seeking natural ways to manage symptoms without added side effects.
As more research emerges, IR sauna therapy could become a valuable part of holistic care plans for individuals living with RA or AS, helping them manage symptoms and improve daily wellbeing.
Ask your sauna showroom specialist about their infrared models and some of the many other benefits of IR therapy!
Reference:
Oosterveld, F.G.J., Rasker, J.J., Floors, M. et al. Infrared sauna in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Clin Rheumatol 28, 29–34 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-008-0977-y